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The family of a young mother who died of cervical cancer want to know whether her life could have been saved if she had been diagnosed earlier.

Keely Devine from Leeds, was 23 when she passed away. Despite complaining of symptoms during a number of trips to her GP and the A&E department of Leeds General Infirmary, the cancer wasn't picked up for over 2 years. Kate Walby reports.

A spokesperson from NHS England, West Yorkshire, said:
"This is a tragic case and our thoughts are with Keely Devine's family. Out of respect for confidentiality, we will not be commenting on this individual patient's case.”

While Laura Loftus from Leeds says each case for being given the drug Avastin should be judged on a case-by-case basis, the NHS governing body says this is not how it works.

Laura says the drug is extending her life and pays out almost £1,000 a week for it.

"When the decision is taken that a treatment is not of benefit for an individual we understand how distressing this can be. The decision is however based on whether the treatment will be effective and benefit the individual.

“There is an opportunity for the patient and their clinician to appeal against the process.

"Appeals can only take into account any new clinical information that has not been previously considered, and which could have influenced the outcome of the decision, or if there is any doubt about the actual process through which the case has been considered.

"If this happened this would be considered by a new independent Appeals Panel led by the regional medical director.”

This time last year Stephen Bielby from Sutton in Craven weighed over 23 stone and would not even think of having a go at an extreme obstacle assault course.

But after his wife was diagnosed with cancer he accepted the challenge to lose the weight and take part in one, to help raise money for the charity which gave him and his family vital support during such a difficult time. Sarah Clark reports.

A team from Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham has been recognised nationally for its work to improve the lives of people in our region who have beaten cancer.

East Yorkshire hospital up for national cancer award Credit: Press Association

The Survivorship Team, jointly funded by Macmillan and Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, was set up just over two years ago in order to help people of all ages through their recovery journeys.

The team focuses on providing support not just in the physical sense, but also offers help with emotional, social, financial and psychological matters too, and is one of just a handful of its kind in the country.

East Yorkshire hospital up for national cancer award

Now, in recognition of its work to improve the lives of hundreds of people from across East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, the team has been shortlisted for a 2014 Macmillan Professionals Award in Team Excellence.

The number of people diagnosed with skin cancer in Yorkshire has doubled in the last 20 years. Around a thousand people in our region are now developing the disease every year.

Amanda Crosland from Leeds was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2001. Being red-haired and fair skinned, the mum to two daughters has always covered up in the sun. So, when she noticed a new mole, she got it checked out straight away.